The Everything Christmas/New Year (2023/2024) Thread

[Maverick]

Yeah, I know with all that’s going on in the world and personal circumstances this might be the last thing on some people’s minds. But there’s always hope and focusing on that can sometimes make a difference.

For starters,  let’s remember the reason for the season…

[DragonLady]

[comicsgate]

A Visit From Saint Nicholas · John Williams · Boston Pops Orchestra · Robin Williams

[comicsgate]

[comicsgate]

[Vknid]

I know people that will see the rocks shaped like steps under the water in Japan and tell you that those are signs of an ancient civilization.

But they will also tell you that our planet, the solar system and the universe are just a sequence of random happy accidents over billions of years.

We should all rejoice the fact that an all powerful God decided to allow a part of himself to be tortured and killed by his own creations because he loves them so that they would learn and change their ways.

Christ was a personification of God’s love for us.  This is something that should fill everyone with joy and hope even in the most dire of times.

[Maverick]

Kids of my generation are familiar with the Salsoul Orchestra’s “Disco” Christmas Jollies Album. The first track on that album is The Little Drummer Boy and whenever I hear it I immediately become nostalgic…

 

…but this has to be one of the most reverent renditions of the song.

 

[Vknid]

Always found this one really awesome.  I noted here that as weird and odd as Bowie loved to be, here for this he is calm and respectful.

 

[comicsgate]

I had no idea that Bowie was the narrator on Peter and The Wolf.
I grew up on that before learning to speak.

[Maverick]

DB was also great in Labyrinth. Ironically saw it for the first time on air as part of our local station’s Christmas Schedule. It’s one of those Non-Christmas Christmas Movies (like Star Wars).

[DragonLady]

David Bowie was also part of the very short live-action sequence at the beginning of ‘The Snowman’. I never saw that part until I finally got it on dvd ten years ago. I was shocked and delighted that he was part of something that I’ve loved since I was very small. The animated film is brilliant and still holds up just over 40 years later. It’s sequel ‘The Snowman and the Snowdog’ which came out 11 years ago is a very worthy sequel indeed.

Will always be my favourite Christmas film but if you want me to mention a proper Christmas film, I’m always up for ‘The Polar Express’ even though it’s been a few Christmases since I last watched it😅!

 

[comicsgate]

Thanks for posting that black and white footage above. I am more and more into retro stuff. Just the formal choirs and morality and innocence of the people at that time.

I regret not seeing Polar Express in theaters. They play that soundtrack on the classical station and it is excellent. Moves me every time.

In the spirit of the OP, 2 selections:

[Vknid]

Labyrinth is one of my top favorite movies of all time.  I saw it when I was young and thought it was so enthralling.  And I have loved it ever since. I have it in 4k now and watch it every so often.  Such an amazing movie.  It was the best of Jim Henson and even Bowie.  I have crushed on Jennifer Connelly since.  We are similar ages so that’s not some perv thing.  Although she is so thin and gross now she looks like my x-wife so /vomit.  But late 90’s Jennifer Connelly was peak hotness since Ann Margaret.

@comicsgate

Thanks for posting the Peanuts.  Charles Schultz was one of a kind.  I have his last cartoon in a frame. I have found solace of simplicity, goodness and calmness in the Peanuts for a long time.  Every Christmas I watch several shows.  Garfield and Peanuts are 2 of them.

[comicsgate]

That is nice. They played that jazz song downtown and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. Normally, my priority it to go for walks, but the downtown Christmas music has made it to where I just want to go there and listen to the music. Garfield and Peanuts were once the two comic strips that were can’t miss.

Speaking of Non-Christmas Christmas movies, I have to post this one. The trailer says Dec. 17, and I remember every winter, going to see Elves and Dwarfs fighting with my buddies. A friend would always ring to see these movies and it made it the most special movie experience of my life. Different friends, too. Something about it just naturally and organically brought fellowship together. This is one time Hollywood created something truly special and memorable. When I watch the trailer, it still holds up. It still feels current.

At 1:07, “Will you have Peace or War?”

[Maverick]

Peanuts just has a way of putting a smile on your face…especially Snoopy when he’s doing his “Happy Dance”. The animated movies and series are some of the best comic to film adaptations ever made; the characters are almost exactly how you’d expect them to be.

 

 

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